“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Jesus says “take my yoke and learn from me.” As one who hungers for learning, this appeals to me. It’s not just “take my yoke and you’ll get it,” but it’s “take my yoke and learn.” Learning means time, process, grace for mistakes and practice.
His character is what makes learning enjoyable. Learning is no fun when the person is proud and arrogant. It’s hard to learn from such people as our own pride and arrogance rises up in defiance. But Jesus says he is “humble.” And Humility is a great leader to follow.
He’s also gentle. Harshness is never the heart of God. He is gentle. He deals with us gently. Even his discipline has a gentleness to it. I remember when David had sinned by taking the census, God gave him three options of discipline. Two were to be carried out by the hands of men. One was to be carried out by the hands of God. David replied, “I am in deep distress. Let me fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is very great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men. Then God sent an angel to destroy Jerusalem. But as the angel was doing so, the LORD saw it and was grieved because of the calamity and said to the angel who was destroying the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand” (1 Chr 21). God’s heart was broken and he couldn’t dole the punishment out any more. Gentleness is always at the heart of God, even in discipline. And Gentleness is a great leader to follow.
Humility, gentleness, a yoke and a learning process. These are the things that lead to rest for the soul. I have met those who have walked in this “rest.” Not striving, not laboring, not always laboring in self-disciple, but a journey forward that comes from rest. For in some strange paradox the fruit of the soul at rest is a journey that is light, joy-filled, ever-maturing and carries one much farther than one who labors.
“Lord, I want this rest.”
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Memorized: Matthew 11:16-30 (Jan 16)